Tāwhia Copyright Aotearoa is the only Reproduction Rights Organisation (RRO) in Aotearoa New Zealand for text-based copyright material, and a member of the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organisations (IFRRO).

RROs appeared in the 1980s when new technology made large-scale copying of copyrighted work easy and widespread. They collect and distribute copyright licensing fees, representing copyright owners while making it simple for users to legally copy published work in educational institutions, government offices, and businesses.

Today, RROs are more relevant than ever. Digital technology has made it even easier to copy, share, remix, and distribute content and increasingly difficult to monitor. RROs give rightsholders a practical way to manage permissions across digital platforms and learning environments, while giving users clear, streamlined pathways to access and reuse material legally, without negotiating individual agreements.